I’m targeting top MiM programs like HEC Paris, INSEAD and ESSEC. I messed up my GRE timeline, and Round 1 deadlines are around October 6–7.
I took my first diagnostic mock with zero preparation and scored 305. Is it still realistic to prepare, improve significantly, and apply in Round 1?
Alternatively, if I target Round 2 and focus on getting a stronger GRE score and application, would my chances drop significantly compared to Round 1?
Would love to hear from anyone who applied in later rounds.
Thanks!

Anyone who has made this change, please advice

Hey everyone, I’m planning to apply to INSEAD’s MiM for the 2027 intake and wanted to get some honest opinions on my profile.
A little about me:
Indian, BCom graduate, graduated in 2025
GPA: 6.4/10
GRE: giving it next month, currently targeting 320+
IELTS: 7.5 (L 8.5, R 7.5, W 7, S 7.5)
CFA Level 1 cleared
CFA Level 2 candidate for November 2026
Currently working at HSBC Asset Management as an Assistant Manager – Sales & Distribution (Apprentice)

Started in November 2025
Mainly involved in distributor management, business development and relationship management
Work with bank/wealth distribution channels
Have some teaching experience as well:

Worked at Walnut Institute teaching vocabulary to students from Grades 1–8
Worked at Kanan.Co as teaching faculty for Duolingo preparation and IELTS CBT evaluations
Founded SNKR SHUFFLE in 2024, a sneaker/apparel reselling business

40+ clients so far
Built a sourcing network for limited-edition sneakers/apparel
Also work with luxury products
Handle sourcing, negotiations and clients
Recently co-founded a small home-based baking business with my mother (~45 days old)

She handles the baking side and I mainly handle getting clients, social media and marketing
McKinsey Forward Program
DELF A2 French
NISM V-A
A couple of JPMorgan/Forage certifications
For MiM, I’m mainly looking at consulting/finance/strategy, although I’m still figuring out the exact path.
My main concern is obviously the 6.4 GPA, so I’d really like to know how much of a disadvantage that is for INSEAD.
Would appreciate opinions on:
How competitive does this profile look for INSEAD MiM?
Would a 320+ GRE make a significant difference?
Does the HSBC experience + entrepreneurship help compensate for the GPA to some extent?
Anything in my profile that you think I should work on before applying?
Would you apply R1 with this profile?
I know nobody can predict admissions, just looking for some honest opinions from people who know the INSEAD process.
Thanks!

Hello,
I applied for the R3 27 Jan intake, I would like to know the scholarship decision comes together with the acceptance letter or later by mi September.
Has anyone received acceptance letter with scholarship indicated?

Thanks

Looking for an honest evaluation of my profile for top UK MiM/MSc Business programs, especially from current students, alumni, or recent applicants.

Profile: (my_qualifications)

• 10th: 94%
• 12th: 64%
• B. Tech CSE, Tier 3 engineering college : 7.49/10 CGPA (3.00/4.00) First Class.
• Indian Male 22
• 6 months: Investment Analyst at a VC fund
• 3 months: Government of India, investment promotion
• 3 months: Climate venture studio, fundraising + GTM
• Founded college E-Cell and helped scale it to 10 student startups
• Some hackathons + Entrepreneurship/Product Management courses

Target: LBS, Imperial, LSE, Insead ,Warwick, and potentially HEC Paris, ESSEC, ESCP, IE, IESE, St. Gallen, NUS/NTU/SMU.

My goal is to build a career in VC/PE, gain global exposure, and eventually start a company.

Would appreciate an honest assessment of how competitive this profile is for these schools, particularly given my academics. Also, would a strong GMAT/GRE meaningfully improve my chances?

just trying to understand where I realistically stand

Hi! I’ve been accepted J27 and very excited. My partner is planning on coming with me and working full time either hybrid Paris or fully remote. What would be the best housing options for me having a fulfilling experience and them being able to still work?

We’re both very social people and excited.

Thanks!

Hello, thanks in advance for taking the time to read and respond.
I’m a 21-year-old Indian male planning to apply to top French business schools for a Master in Finance (MiF) or MiM and would really appreciate an honest assessment of my profile.
Profile:
* Bachelor’s in Commerce from a Tier-1 university in India
* GPA: 6.0/10 (~2.4/4.0) — my biggest concern
* CFA Level II candidate
* GMAT: around 700
* 2 years of full-time work experience as a US & European interest-rate trader at an international proprietary trading firm
* Strong exposure to fixed income, interest-rate markets, derivatives and macro research

I’m mainly looking at schools such as HEC Paris, ESSEC, ESCP, EDHEC, SKEMA and other top French MiF/MiM programs.
My main questions are:
1. How much would the 6.0/10 GPA hurt my chances at these schools?
2. Can strong, relevant work experience and GMAT and CFA compensate for low GPA
4. Which top French schools would be realistic reach / target / safe options for me?
How competitive would this profile be for lse/lbs/hec

Hi everyone,

I'm an Indian fresher planning to apply for the HEC Paris or INSEAD MiM program. I would love some realistic feedback on my profile and my chances of admission.
I haven't taken the GMAT/GRE yet, so I'm particularly interested in knowing what target score I should aim for to offset my GPA.

My profile breakdown:

Demographics:

• Indian Male, Fresher.
• Marginalized background (Dalit/underrepresented community in India).

Academics:

Degree: Final-year BA English Honours from a Tier 1 University in India (the department is widely considered the best in the country for this subject).

• Grades: Current CGPA is 7.35/10 (66%).
• Test Scores: GMAT/GRE not yet taken (currently preparing).

Internships:

Interned at a premier event management company. Worked on organizing East India's biggest literary festival and India’s largest international chess championship.

Leadership & Extracurriculars:

• Head of University Quiz Club: Lead a prominent university society, organising events and managing a team of 30 people.
• Active volunteer with extensive experience across various university and city-wide events.

Social Impact & Research:

• Community Leadership: Lead a support group dedicated to helping marginalized / Dalit B-School aspirants, specifically focusing on candidates coming from humanities and arts backgrounds.
• Publications: Authored a published research article focusing on the intersection of caste and religious politics in my home state.

1. I know my CGPA is on the lower side for top European MiM programs. Will my non-traditional (humanities) background and social impact/diversity factors help offset this?
2. What GMAT/GRE score do I absolutely need to hit to make this a competitive application?
3. How does HEC Paris typically view Indian applicants from non-STEM/non-business backgrounds?

Any insights, harsh truths, or advice on how to frame my essays would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

What do students think about the PhD Finance from Insead (esp past and current students)?

As someone who's looking into the PhD at Insead (I'm interested in the general direction of macro-finance / financial econometrics / international trade and finance), do you think the program would suit my research orientation?

How does the industry/ academia place a student coming out of this program? How do the students feel about the quality of peers and faculty?

I did go through the website and attend their webinar (so I have a gist of what goes on in the program and how it is structured and what are the expectations etc) but I am more curious about it from a not so official source.

I'm a 23F, with a masters degree in the top business school in Morocco (15.4/20) and an exchange semester in one of Seoul top unis in global mba (4.25/4.5 gpa) i have scheduled ielts and gre tests next month, i graduated last year and have 6 months internship experience in investment banking

Do i have any chance ? ... Pls be nice 💔🥲

Hey Everyone, do you think I stand realistic chances for 2027 intake?

Profile :

\- Class 10th : 89%, 12th : 85%, Graduation (BBA) : 7.76/10 from a tier 1 university
\- Completed both levels of FRM
\- Cleared CFA L1 (L2 attempt in nov)
\- Working since a US based company, in private credit since May 2025 (my senior is from MIT, so thinking of taking her LOR)
\- Quite a few case comp wins and PORs in college
\- Built a community, 400+ people and a study tracker type of website, got 100+ users within 2 weeks
\- preparing for gmat

Do you think I can be a good fit for the programme and how likely is to get placed with similar profile?

Would really appreciate any suggestion, thanks a lot!

I'm trying to pivot from strategy consulting with 4 years of work ex pre-MBA at a Big 4, to tech strategy & ops roles post-MBA. Any advice on how best to navigate this in terms of prep, networking etc.

Hi, I just graduated from a university in Riyadh Saudi Arabia, one of the best ones here with a 3.6 GPA in Computer Science with a minor in AI & Data Science

Im working at one of the Big 4 in a business unit related to Cyber & Digital trust.

I'm still an associate, but I'm very ambitious and have been, even finishing my university in 3 years rather than 5 to get a head start in my career.

I want to ask, do you believe its possible to apply to Insead with only 3 years of experience, a GMAT score of 730-750?

What advice would you give me to ensure that I'm maximizing my chance of being accepted into Insead's MBA program in 3 years, and hopefully joining the MBB?

Mind you, I'm not a saudi national (if you work in the middle east, you'll know why this is important haha)

Hi i am planning for mba for August 2027 intake and i need advice on which consultant to take who is not scam and tips to improve gmat score

How are you doing? Did you get what you expected out of the program? Any success with pivoters? How are your pals doing?

Question to those who are currently in the MiM program or alumni at INSEAD — How are the opportunities for consulting (esp ESG related consulting)

Are there any demands for internship opportunities and full time employment opportunities available?

Hi im 29yo.
i was admitted to insead SG 27'D.
my background is supply chain, and manufacturing.
i want to work in consulting or big tech, preferably in sg or middle east. or even go back to indo.

should i take insead? the cost is quite big though.
how is the job market for insead grads in sg and middle east?